----- Original Message ----- From: "Family Tree Finders" <soda-send@gt.sodamail.com> To: <diva1@dnaco.net> Sent: Tuesday, April 04, 2000 9:21 AM Subject: Family Tree Finders Tuesday April 04, 2000 > > > FAMILY TREE FINDERS > Tuesday - 4 April 2000 > > Abstracts and Transcriptions > > As we research our ancestry, we are supposed to be able to > back up our claims with proof. These days, that usually means > photocopying or printing out what we have discovered. > However, what do you do when you are in the middle of a > cemetery or the repository won't let you photocopy the fragile > record? > > You will want to get out your trusty pencil and notebook. > While you can use a pen, you will find it is a lot easier to > make changes using a pencil, especially when working with > those hard-to-read records. Also, the repository may have > rules against bringing in anything that could leave a permanent > mark such as ballpoint pens. > > You will find that there is a time and place to abstract and > likewise to transcribe. In fact, you may be abstracting already > and just don't know it. Every time you use a census form to > scratch down the pertinent details for your ancestor's entry in > the census pages you are abstracting. This is the difference > between abstracting and transcribing: > > ABSTRACTING is the act of recording the pertinent details > from a given record. > > TRANSCRIBING is the act of copying down verbatim the > entire record. > > When you are abstracting a record, it is important to record all > pertinent facts: names, dates and places. If at all possible, you > will want to use a form unique to the record you are > abstracting. This allows you to be the most thorough. There > are forms galore online and available for sale from different > genealogical vendors. By filling out such a form, even as a > beginner, you will be guaranteed to record all the important > information. > > You can get abstract forms for abstracting in > > -- Census records > -- Land records > -- Wills > -- Probate records > -- Cemetery records > -- Tombstones > -- Obituaries > > Whenever time allows, you should plan on doing a > transcription. Even if you are planning to make a photocopy of > the given record, there are times when a transcription can be a > lifesaver. When dealing with hard-to-read microfilmed > records, sometimes the time taken to transcribe while you > have the microfilm can save hours of frustration later on. > > Transcribing has a plus in that you are in essence getting the > entire record. You are much less likely to miss something > when you are transcribing. It is the nature of the transcribing > that forces you to go word by word, line by line. > > Unfortunately transcription can take a long time, especially > with lengthy documents. However, do not just make a > photocopy and then put the microfilm back. Even if you don't > do a transcription right then and there, you will want to > compare your photocopy with the original to guarantee that > the entire copied document is legible. That way, when you do > have the time to go through it, you won't be banging your head > against a wall trying to figure out what those squiggles mean. > > Believe it or not, abstracting and transcription are not mutually > exclusive. There are times that I have done both. The abstract > allows me a quick look at the high points of the given record, > whereas the transcription allows me to verify that I have not > misunderstood the relationships or the general thinking behind > the document. And today with notebook computers and word > processors, you can quickly transcribe anything. Plus, there > are programs such as Clooz to aid you in your abstracting. > > So the next time you are working in the records, keep in mind > that if you take the time to abstract and transcribe the records > now, you won't be overlooking anything and will not find > yourself having to return to the records at a later date to verify > the information you thought you knew. > > > > > > Rhonda R. McClure > rhondam@sodamail.com > > This is one of 19 Sodamail newsletters for families. > And they're all FREE... go to http://www.sodamail.com > > > If you know someone who is interested in genealogy, > please forward this entire message to them! > _________________________________________________ > > IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: > Newsletter Web site: http://www.sodamail.com/site/ftf.shtml > > TO UNSUBSCRIBE VIA WEB > 1. Go to: http://gt.sodamail.com/cgi-bin/gt/login.html > 2. Enter the e-mail address: diva1@dnaco.net > 3. Uncheck the newsletters you wish to unsubscribe > NOTE: You can subscribe to other Sodamail newsletters at the same time! > > TO UNSUBSCRIBE VIA E-MAIL > Send blank email message to: > leave-family-tree-finders@gt.sodamail.com > > TO SUBSCRIBE VIA E-MAIL > Send blank email message to: > join-family-tree-finders@gt.sodamail.com > > Need help? -- write to: help@sodamail.com > Have questions--write to our editor: editor@sodamail.com > __________________________________________________ > COPYRIGHT 1999-2000 SodaMail LLC. All rights reserved > http://www.Sodamail.com > > > > >